Test Kitchen: Make hummus for entertaining with friends

Spicy garlic and cilantro hummus

• 1/4 cup cilantro, stems and leaves included (add more or less to taste)

• 1-2 Tbsp. of tahini paste (creamy peanut butter will also work here)

• 1-2 Tbsp. of olive oil

• Juice of one small lemon

• Salt and pepper to taste

• Red chili flakes, optional

Add all ingredients to the blender. Pulse until just chunky and then blend on low setting. Continue to blend until desired consistency is achieved. Serve chilled or at room temperature with a drizzle of olive oil on the top. Eat with pita bread, crudite or in sandwiches - whatever tickles your fancy.

Can't make it? Go get it.

If you don't feel like making hummus yourself. Go get some here.

• Address: 5301 N. Navarro St., Victoria

• Phone: 361-575-3354

• Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Sunday

There must be a direct correlation between warm weather and the number of parties or get-togethers I get invited to.

The hot weather makes people seek refuge in pools - whether plastic, inflatable or in-ground - shady backyards or at the beach. Regardless of where the outings take you, be sure to bring sunblock to avoid the burns and something to munch on to avoid the hunger pangs.

The nice thing about hummus is that it's not something that will go bad if left out in the sun or in the heat. There's no dairy or meat in it, so you don't have to worry about it spoiling.

Plus, you can make it taste like almost anything you want. I love, love, love garlic, so I like to throw in a couple of pieces. Add it however you prefer it - raw and spicy or roasted and mellow - and just blend it with the rest of the ingredients. You can add spices like cayenne or cumin or leave it as is for a plain hummus that you can spread onto sandwiches or eat with your veggies.

Hummus is almost like tofu, it will take on whatever flavor you mix it with. Just remember it's got a nutty flavor, so think of that as the base to which you build your hummus empire of tasty dipping-ness.

Do you have a recipe to share with the Get Out Test Kitchen? Shoot an email to jrodrigo@vicad.com or tweet me via @eatseatseats.